Strap buckle



NOV. 26, 1929. A, F BERNARD 1,737,404

STRAP BUCKLE Filed Oct. ll, 1928 Patented t Nov. Z6, lg

innata:

rara in ARTHUR F. BERNARD, OF PROVDENCE, RHODEISLAND STR-A? BUCKLE ily invention relates to strap buckles and specifically includes improvements in strap tighteners adapted to be inserted in a strap for expr-.riding and contracting the length of 5 the strap of the type shown in the patent to rlohn DAlo, 1,6925079. issued Nov. 28, 1928 for Automatic strap tightener.

The automatic strap tightener feature of my invention is especially adapted for use l in connection with a limb encircling strap, particularly a wrist watch bracelet and is adapted to form a flexible strap tightener of the type shown therein and in addition an expansible strap tightener of a type capable l of opening up to permit removal of the strapl from the wrist and adapted when in closed position to flexibly and firmly clasp the strap to the wrist so that the strap will be bound to the wrist without inconvenience during all movements of the arm and wris @ne particular feature of my invention resides in the fact that l am enabled to attach a strap end to the front connector section so that when attached to the wrist the top of said front connector section may be visible and suitably7 ornamented if desired in any desired fashion. To this end l provide means to attach a strap end to said front connector section longitudinally slidable to the inner end thereof to expose the top of the front connector section to view when saidv tightener is attached 1n use and longitndi` nally slidable to the outer end thereof t permit expansion of the flexible straptightener when the front connector section is pivoted to open position away from the bach connector section. ln order to permit an eirpansion of the automatic strap tightener subi stantially equal to that provided in the co- L10 pending application referred to, l preferably pivotally mount the intermediate guide rail connector section onthe outer end of the baclr connector section and attach the other` strap end to the inner end thereof and omiteany means to permanently locl: the inner end of the intermediate guide rail connector section to the back connector section, whereby when the front connector section is pivoted away from the baclr connector sec- 59 tion, the intermediate connector section may Application filed October 11, 1928. Serial No. 311,852.

be pivoted outwardly to correspondingly increase the length of the strap. ln order to permit the outward pivot of the intermediate guide rail connector section and attached strap end on the back connector section, l preferably provide a construction wherein the strap end is attached to the intermediate connector section over it when in closed position in place of under it as shown in the aforesaid DAlo patent. l i

lNhen the invention is employed with a wrist watch or other article having barmeans for vattachment of the strap thereto as I employ in combination with an Vautomatic strap tightener of. the type shown herein to "l l expand the stra-p for removal purposes9 said 1 strap ends may be permanently attached to said bar means. further feature of my invention relates therefore to an improved buckle means to permanently attach the strap end to said bar means.

A. further object of my invention relates to the Vprovision of buckle means for use with straps of a construction simple and easy to make and of ornamental appearance.

These and such other objects ofv my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of one` embodiment thereof, such as is shown in the i accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wrist watch bracelet employing my invention with the automaticv strap tightener in kclosed position, exposing the top wall of the front connector section, the a5" position my invention normally takes whenl used on a wrist.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view` taken through the center of the automatic; Strap tshtener; r i Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig; 2 looking inwards from the outer end of the automatic strap tightener.

Fig. 4C is a side elevation of the automatic 95 strap tightener showing both the front and intermediate connector sections in half open position. l

Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to Fig. l with the front and intermediate connector sections of my improved strap tightener pivoted to an open position to permit the wrist watch strap to be slipped off the wrist.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the buckle means I preferably employ to permanently attach he strap end to the wrist watch bar.

Fig. 7 is a disassembled rear perspective view of the buckle means and bar means shown in Fig. 6.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, 10 generally indicates an inelastic strap adapted vto encircle the wrist. Said .stra-p may be constructed of leather, woven wire, or any suitable material. 12 generally indicates a wrist watch interposed in the circumference of said strap, said wrist watch being provided with the transversely extending bar means 13 projecting from each end thereof for attachment of each strap end thereto. Though I have shown my invention in use with a strap having a wrist watch attached, it is obvious that any-other type of ornament may be used 1nstead, or that the strap may surround the wrist without the interposition of any ornament therein. f

16 generally indicates my improved strap tightener. In the preferred embodiment shown my improved strap tightener inclu-des fa back connector section 14, preferably provided'with the forwardly protruding side flanges 18in the embodiment shown comprising lugs only protruding at-each end thereof. In the description and claims I refer to the center of the strap tightener as that portion of the strap tightener on which the front connector section is pivoted onthe back connector section and I employ the words finner and outer in relation thereto. I also provide the front connector section 2() and I provi-de means to pivotallyV mount the inner end ofthe frontrconnector section 2O on the inner end of the back connector section 14.

rIn my preferred embodiment said means comprises the pivot pin 26- suitably mounted in suitable pivotholes in theY inner ends of the flanges 18 of the back connector section 14 and the inner ends of the downwardly projecting side flangesv 32 of the front connector section 20. The outer ends of said side flanges 32 are suitably provided with the depressions or lholes 30 which cooperate with means Vlater tobe described to form means to clamp or lock said front and back connector sections together. Y Y Said front connectorfsection 2() is provided with means to attach a strap end thereto. For

removal purposes when said front connector section 20 is pivoted to open position, I preferably provide the side flanges 32 of said front connector section with the longitudinal slots 33 therein extending longitudinally thereof near the top wall 31 thereof and I proviee the bar 22 slidably loosely mounted within said slots provided with suitable means to attach an end 24 of the strap thereto. In my preferred embodiment said means 23 comprises the bail 23 .having the ends 25 thereof pivotally attached to the ends of the bar 22 exterior of said front connector side flanges 32 and slidablel with said bar 22 over said front connector section so as to permit the bar 22 to slide within said front connector section and said bail 23 to slide correspondingly on the outside of said. front connector vsection over the top thereof. The strap end 24 is suitably attached to the inner end of the bail in any suitable manner. I

llhile any means may be provided on said hack connector section protruding laterally therefrom to cooperate with the d-epressions 30 to lock said front connector section 2O to said back connector section 14, VI preferably construct said means as follows as a part of the intermediate guide rail connector section 34 now to be described. In my preferred embodiment said guide rails 34 comprise the U- shape'd member37 having the outer ends 35 of the guide rail legs 34 thereof terminating inthe lugs 28 adapted to extend through the pivot'holes 19 in the outer ends of the forwardly protruding side flanges 18 of the back connector section14. I pivote.` ly mount said U-shaped guide rail member 37 on the outer end of the back connector Section 14 and additionally form the lateral projections or lugs 28 projecting therefrom through said pivot holes19 adapted to register in the depressions 30 in the outer ends of the front connector section side flanges 32 to lock said frontand back connector sections in closed position.

I provide the plate member 38 having the lll) holes 39 therein to receive and bind the legs 34 of said U-shaped member 37 together near the outer ends 35 thereof. The springs 40 are mounted on said guide rail legs 34 and abut the inner side.

tachment of the strap end 48 thereto over said intermediate connector section 37 when said intermediateconnector seetionis pivoted to closed position between said front and back connector sections is provided with the pivot lugs 46 projecting from the. outer ends thereof for pivotal mounting thereof in suitable holes on said bail 47. Said sliding member 44 is provided with the holes 50 to receive the guide rails 34 therein underneath said strap end The inner ends 52 of said springs are adapted to abut the outer face 54 of the sliding member and it is thus obviousthat the l0. If in use the wrist is moved causingthe.

strap to expand, it is obvious that the springs will continuously contract at all times to tightly bind the strap to the wrist, the strap end 4S sliding' on the intermediate connector section 3? on the guide rails 34 thereof between said front and back connector sections. When the device is in closed position as shown in F ig. l, it is obvious that the wrist watch or other obj ect will be continuously bound to the wrist. l/Vhen the front connector section 2O is swung to open position as shown in Fig. 5 to open up said sections the strap may be readily removed from the wrist. is is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the intermediate ccnnector section 37 pivots outward it movesI the end 48 of the strap 10 outwards to increase the length of the strap and as the front' connector section 2O pivots to open position the strap end 24 may readily slide from the inner to the outer end thereof in said slots 33 thereby readily also increasing the length of said strap for removal purposes. lt is apparent7 however, that when the front connector section 2O is pivoted to closed position the strap end 24 will slide to the inner end thereof to permit the ornamented top 31 thereof to be exposed to view on the wearers wrist. It is also apparent that when the intermediate connector section 37 is pivoted to closed position it will be permanently retained in said position between said front and back connector sections so as to permit ready longitudinal slidable movement of the member 44 with attached strap end 48 on said guide rails 84 against the tension of said springs 40.

As stated hitherto7 I provide in combination, a split limb encircling strap having the split ends 24 and 48 and an article such as the wrist watch l2 having the bar means 13 on each end thereof for attachment thereof to said strap, an expansible strap tightene'r interposed in said strap, andmeans to flXedly attach each end 24 and 48 respectively of said strapto said bar means. In my preferred embodiment the improved type of attaching means to iixedly attach each end of said strap to the bar means 13 comprises the plate meniber having the bar receiving downwardly projecting hook 62 at the outer end thereof preferably provided with the cent-ral cut out portion 64. Said member 60 has a strap clamp 66 pivoted to the rearwardly projecting side flanges 68 thereof at the inner end thereof, said clamp having a preferably toothed edge 70 adapted to clamp the strap l ly therefrom adapted .to pivot rearwards through said cut away portion in the end hool 62 and adapted to be permanently retained in locked position under said bar means 13.

t is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown and that various embodiments may be shown without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

"What claiinis: l

1. A strap tightener, adapted to be inserted in strap for expanding and contracting the lengthy of the strap, comprising, a baclrconnector section having forwardly protruding side flanges having pivot holes therein near their outer ends, al front connector section having a topwall and side lianges projecting rearwardly therefrom having longitudinal slots therein near the top wall thereof and depressions therein near the outer ends thereof, means to pivotally mount theinner end of the front connector section on the inner end of the bach connector section, a vbar longitu-:linally slidable within said longitudinal slots, a bail having the ends thereof pivotally attached to the ends of said bar and slidable through said pivot holes on the outer end ofl the back connector section side flanges for pivotally mounting said member thereon having ends projecting through said pivot holes adapted to register in the depressions in the outer ends of the front connector section side to lock said sections together, a plate member having holes therein to receive and bind the legs of said U-shaped member together near the Aouter pivot ends thereof, springs mounted on said guide rail legs havtheir outer ends abutting said plate and. a sliding member riding on said guide rails having the outer vend thereof abutting the inner ends of said springs and having means therein for pivotal attachment of the other strap end thereto over said guide rails7 whereby said guide rail member and attachedV end may be pivoted to closed position between said locked front and back connector sections and the length of the strap may be'increased when said guide rail member is pivoted to open position and whereby the bail bar and attached strap end may .slide to the inner ends of said side flange slots to disolay the top wall of the front connector sec n when said front connector section is pivoted on saidA back connector section to closed pcs ion and may slide to the outer ends of said 'side flange slots to increase the length of the strap when said front connector section is pivoted.

on said back connector section to opcnposition.

2. Av strap tightener adaptedto beinserted iso l in a strap for expanding and contracting the length of the strap, comprising a bach con-U nector section, a front connector section having a top wall and side flanges projecting rearwardly therefrom having longitudinal slots therein near the top wall thereof, means to .pivotally mount the inner end of the front connector section on the inner end of the back connector section, a bar longitudinally slidable within said longitudinal slots, a bail having the endsV thereof pivotally attached to the ends of said bar and slidable with said bar over said front connector section adapted to have a strap end attached thereto, and means to clamp said front and back connector sections together in closed position, whereby the bail bar and attached strap end may slide to the inner ends of said side flange slots to display the top wall of the front connector section when said front connector section is pivoted on said back connector section to closed position and may slide to the outer ends of vsaid side flange slots to increase the length of the strap when said front connector section is pivoted on said lback connector section tovopen position. Y

3. A strap tightener adapted to he inserted in a strap for expanding and contracting the length of the strap, comprising, Va bach connector section, a front connector section having a top wall and side flanges projecting rearwardly therefrom having longitudinal slots therein near the top wall thereof, means to pivotally mount the inner endv of the front .connector section on the inner end of the back connector section, a bar longitudinally slidable within said longitudinal slots, .a bail having the ends thereof pivotally attached A to the ends of said bar and slidable with said bar over said front connector section adapted to have a strap end attached thereto,

togetherenclosing said intermediate connec-` torsection, whereby said .intermediate connectorsection and attached strap end may be pivoted to closed position between said locked front and back connector sections and the length of the strap may be increased when said intermediate connector section is pivoted to open position and whereby the bail bar and attached strap end may slide to the inner ends of said side flange slots to display the top wall of the front connector section when' said front connector section is pivoted on said back connector sectionto closed position and may slide to the outer ends of ysaid side flange slots to increase the length of the strap when said front connector section is pivoted on Vsaid back connector section to open position.

4. A strap tightener adapted to be inserted in a strap for expanding and contracting the length of the strap, Vcomprising a back con! nector section having forwardly protruding side flanges, having pivot holes therein near their outer ends, a front connector section having a top wall and side flanges projecting rearwardly therefrom near the top wall thereof having longitudinal slots therein near the top wall thereof and depressions therein near the outer ends thereof, means to pivotally mount the inner end of the front connector section on the inner end of the back connector section, a bar longitudinally slidable 'within said longitudinal slots, a bail having the ends thereof pivotally attached to the ends of said bar andslidable with said bar over said front connector section adapted to have a strap end attached thereto an intermediate connector section having lugs projecting from the outer end thereof adapted to extend through said pivot holes on the outer end of the back connector section side flanges forpivotally mounting said member thereon adapted to register in the depressions in the outer ends of the front connector section side flanges to clamp said sections together and having means for pivotal attachment of the other strap end thereto over said intermediate connector section when said intermediate connector section is pivoted to closed position between said front and back connector sections,

whereby said intermediate connector section and attached strap end may he pivoted to closed position between said locked front and back connector sections and the length of the strap may be increased when said intermediate connector section is pivoted to open position and whereby the bail bar and attached strap end may slide to the inner ends of said side flange slots to display thetop wall of the front connector section whensaid front connector section is pivoted on said bach connector section to closed position and may slide to the outer ends of said side flange slots to increase the length of the strap when said front connector section is pivoted on said back connector section to open position.

`5. A strap tightener, adapted to be insertedV l in a strap for expanding and contracting the length of the strap, comprising a back con-v nector section having forwardly'protrudingl side flanges having pivot holes therein near their outer ends, a front connector section having a top wall and side flanges projecting j rearwardly therefrom having means to attach a strap end thereto and depressions therein near the outer ends thereof, means to pivotally mount the inner end of the front con-v:

nector section on the inner end of the baclr connector section, an intermediate connector section having lugs projecting from' the outer end thereof adapted to extend through said pivot holes on the outer end of the back connector section side flanges for pivotally mounting said intermediate connector section thereon adapted to register in the de- Civ (pressions Yin the outer ends of the front connector section side anges to clamp said section together and having means for pivotal attachment of the other strap end thereto over said intermediate connector section when said intermediate connector section is pivoted to Closed position between said front and back connector' sections, whereby said intermediate connector section and attached strap end may be pivoted to closed position between said loclred front and back connector sections and the length of the strap may be increased when said intermediate connector section is pivoted to open position. f

6. A strap tightener, adapted to be inserted in a strap for expandino` and contracting the length ot the strap, comprising, a back connector section, a front connector section having means to attach a strap end thereto longitudinally slidable thereon, means to pivotally attach the inner end of said back connector section to the inner end of the front connector section, means to clamp the outer end ot the front connector section'to the outer end of said back connector section when superimposed thereon, an intermediate connector section pivotally mounted on the outer end of said back connector section having guide rails extending longitudinally of said back connector section, springs mounted on said guide rails having the outer ends thereof abutting a portion ot the intermediate connectorsection near the outer end thereof and a sliding member riding on said guide rails having the outer end thereof abutting the inner ends ot said springs and having means thereon for pivotal attachment of the other strap end.

thereto over said guide rails, whereby said intermediate connector section and attached strap end may be pivoted to closed position between said iront and back connector sections and the length ot the strap may be increased when said intermediate connector section' is pivoted to open position and whereby the attached strap end may slide to the inner ends of said side iange slots to display the top wall ot the front connector section when said front connector section is pivoted on said back connector section to closed position and may slide to the outer ends ot said side flange slots to increase theglength ot the strap when said front connector section is pivoted on said back connector section to open position. y

7. A strap tightener adapted be inserted in a strap for expanding and contracting the length of the strap, comprising, a back connector section, a front connector section having means to attach a strap end thereto, means to pivotally attach the inner end of said back connector section to the inner end oi' the front connector section, means to clamp the outer end of the trent connector section to the outer end of said back connector seci tion when superimposed thereon, an intermediate connector section pivotally mounted on the outer end'ot said back connector section having guide rails extending longitudinally ct back connector section, springs mountcd on said guide rails having the outer ends tn di te connectezl section near the outer end thereof and a sliding member riding on said guide rails having the outer end thereof abutting the inner ends oi"- said springs and having means thereon tor pivotal attachment of the other strap end thereto over said guide rails, whereby said intermediate connector section and attached strap end may be pivoted to closed position between said front and back connector sections and the length of the strap may be increased when said intermente connector section is pivo-ted to open po- 8. A strap tightener adapted to be insertd in a strap for expanding and contracting length of the strap, comprising, a back oraicctor section, a iront connector section Lating means to attacha st-rap end thereto engi tudinally slidable thereon, means to pivtally Vattach the inner end of said bach connect-or section to theinner end of the front connector section, an intermediate connector section pivotally mounted on the outer end of said l ack connector' section and a member longitudinally resiliently slidably mounted on said intermediate connector section having means thereon for attachment of the other strap end over said intermediate connector section when said intermediate connector section is pivoted to closed position between said connector sections and means to clamp the outer end oi' the iront connector section to the outer end oftheback connector sect-ion when superimposed thereon enclosing said intermediate connector section, whereby said intermediate connector section and attached strap end may be pivoted to closed position .between said locked front and back connector sections and the length of the strap'may be increased when said intermediate connector section is pivoted to open position and whereby the attached strap end may slide to the inner end of said front connector section to display the top wall of the front connector section when said iront connector section is pivoted on said bac-lr connector section to closed position and may slide to the outer end et said front connector section toincrease the length et the strap when said iront connector section is pivoted on said back connector section to open position.

. 9. A strap tightener adapted to be inserted in a strap for expanding and contracting the length ot the strap, comprising, a back connector section, a trent connector section havig means to attach a strap end thereto, means to pivotally attach the inner end ot said back connector section to the inner end of the front connector section, an intermediate connector ireoii abutting a portion of the int-ermesection pivotally mounted on the outer end of said back connector section, a member longitudinally resiliently slidably mounted on -said intermediate connector section having ,meansthereonfor attachment of the other strap end over said intermediate connector section when said intermediate connector section is .pivoted to closed position between lsaid connector sections and means to clamp between said locked front and back connector sections and the length of the strap may be im creased when .said intermediate connector section is pivoted to open position.

10. A strap tightener adapted to be insertved in a strap for expanding and contracting the length of the strap, comprising, a back connector section, a front connector section having means to attach a strap end thereto, longitudinally slidable thereon, means to pivotally attach the inner end of said back connector section to the inner end of the front connector section, an intermediate connector section pivotally mounted on the outer end of said back connector section having means thereon for attachment of the other strap end over said intermediateconnector section when said intermediate connector section is pivoted to closed position between said connector sections and means to clamp the outer end of the front connector section to the outer end of the back connector section when superimposed thereon enclosing said intermediate connector increase the length of the strap when Vsaid front connector section is pivoted on said otally attach the inner end of said back connector section to the inner end of the front connector section, means to clamp the outer end of the front connector section to the outer end of said back connector section when superimposedthereon and means to resiliently attach the other strap end to the back connector section, whereby the attached strap end may slide to the inner end of said front connectorsection to display the top wall of the front connector section when said front connector section is pivoted on said back connector section to closed position and may slide to the outer end of said front connector section to increase the length of the strap when said front connector section is pivoted on said back connector sectionto open position.

In testimony whereof I afIiX my signature.

ARTHUR F.y BERNARD.

section, whereby said intermediate connector section and attached strap end may be pivoted to closed position between said locked front and back connector sections and the length of the strap may be increased when said intermediate connector section is pivoti ed to open position.

11. A strap tightener, adapted to be inserted in a strap for expanding and contracting the length of the strap, comprising, a back connector section, a front connector section having means to attach a strap end thereto longitudinally slidable thereon, means to pivotally attach the inner end of said back connector section to the inner end of the` front connector section, means to clamp the outer end ofthe front connector section Vto the outer end of said back connector section when superimposed thereon, and means to attach the other strap end to the back connector section, wherebythe attached strap end may slide to the inner end of said front connector section to display the top wall of the front f connector section when said front connector section is pivoted on said back connector section to closed position and may slide to the outer end of said front connectorsection to 

